Can’t Beet This Juice!

Earlier this week I did a day of juicing (ending with a light meal that night) to just reset my system and give my cells a cleansing boost for the day. It was invigorating and very hydrating! I’m thinking of instituting monthly juice days because I love the way they make me feel.

I know there can be a lot of confusion around juicing, so I wanted to do a bit of juicing overview today to let you in on my school of thought when it comes to fresh, raw juice.

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Benefits of Juicing

Reduces the digestive load on our body; gives it a “break”

Offers large amounts vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients in an easy-to-consume package

Energizes us on a cellular level

Aids in detoxification of major organs (namely the liver and colon)

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The longer you incorporate juice into your life, the more benefits you’ll begin to see. Regular doses of raw juice can help to reduce sugar cravings, improve skin tone, and boost immunity. When I went to bed at the end of my juicing day, I wasn’t even tired. And that NEVER happens! I actually felt quite alert and energized. It took me about 20 minutes to fall asleep (normally takes about 5).

When I began juicing about a year ago, I started out doing it 2-3 times per week. Because I love it so much, I am working towards a daily jar of raw juice. Cleaning out the juicer afterwards and having a wide variety (and high quantity) of veggies on hand are my two biggest obstacles. I’ll get there one day. :)

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What About Juice Cleansing?

One day of juicing with a meal at night was enough of a cleanse for me at this stage in my life. Because we’re all unique, I hesitate to say that juice cleansing is good or bad. Everyone will respond to it differently. Personally, I’m a fan of incorporating detoxifying vegetables on a regular basis in my diet so that I’m detoxing on some level all the time and not just once or twice a year during a “juice fast.”

Giving the digestive system a break with a day (or even half day) of juicing here and there is an excellent option for most of us. It’s easily accessible, not too much of a commitment, and we can still reap big benefits.

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The Biggest Pitfall

One of the biggest watch-outs when you’re juicing is adding too much fruit. Most store-bought juices contain upwards of 25 grams of sugar per bottle. That’s almost as much as a Snickers bar! The key is to keep the glycemic index low so that you’re getting great nutrients and not a glassful of pure blood sugar-spiking fruit sugar.

The real benefits of juicing come into play when you load up on the vegetables instead of the fruit. My favorite vegetables for juicing include:

Cucumbers

Celery

Romaine lettuce

Carrots

Kale

Chard

Spinach

Cabbage

Beets

Lemons

Ginger

Garlic

Parsley

Mint

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The Best Juicer?

I honestly have only had experience with two juicers. One was a cheap model from Target (it cost about $80). It got the job done, but once I began using a Breville juicer I realized just how much great nutrition action I was missing! Because I don’t have a ton of experience with different juicers, I can’t tell you which one is the best. But the Breville has been amazing and I would highly recommend it for us “intermediate” juicers.

If I ever become a juicing fanatic with jars stocked up for the whole day in my fridge, I’ll think about upgrading. But for the now the Breville is perfect.

So now let’s get to the recipe! I made the beautiful juice you see me holding in the photo above the other day and it was so satisfying. Beets work wonders for the liver and heart, and also cleanse the blood and kidneys. Ginger adds a little spice and superb immune support. I like adding lemon to balance out the sweetness of the beet, but I’ve also made this juice without the lemon and it’s still delish.

Scroll below the recipe to see more nutrient-packed juice recipes from some of my pals.

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Do you juice? Have a favorite ingredient combo? Share in the comments.

This detoxifying juice supports the liver, heart, and cleanses the blood with a wide range of antioxidants and plant nutrients. To store fresh raw juice, keep it refrigerated in a tightly sealed glass jar. Enjoy within 8 hours and shake well before drinking.

Ingredients

2 celery stalks

½ medium beet (no need to peel)

½ large cucumber (peeled or partially peeled)

½ lemon, peeled

1 small piece (about 1-inch) fresh ginger, peeled

Instructions

Push all ingredients through a juicer. Enjoy immediately, drinking slowly to savor every drop!

I am trying to incorporate much more juicing into my diet as well (although I do it every 2-3 months at this stage =/). Today I made one in my Vitamix (and then strained it with a nut mylk bag) with cucumber, carrot, beetroot, spinach, parsley and ginger. It was good, but next time needs a bit more ginger – I love the zing! And I love the colour of the juice when I add beetroot to it (and I’m not normally a fan of pink things!)
Have you ever made juice in your Vitamix? I’m wondering about getting a juicer, but have a feeling the time spent cleaning the juicer may end up being about the same as straining it through a nut mylk bag…

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